Classic Encyclicals & Other Papal Documents

Vi E Ben Noto

Descr.:

On The Rosary And Public Life

Pope:

Pope Leo XIII

Date:

September 20, 1887

To
the Bishops of Italy.

Venerable
Brethren,

1.
You know how We place amid present dangers Our confidence in the
Glorious Virgin of the Holy Rosary, for the safety and prosperity
of Christendom and the peace and tranquility of the Church.
Mindful that in moments of great trial, pastors and people have
ever had recourse with entire confidence to the august Mother of
God, in whose hands are all graces, certain too, that devotion to
Our Lady of the Rosary is most opportune for the needs of these
times, We have desired to revive everywhere this devotion, and to
spread it far and wide among the faithful of the world. Oftentimes
already We, in recommending the pious practice of devoting October
to honoring Our Lady, have pointed out Our reasons and hope for so
doing, and the forms to be observed; and the entire Church, docile
to Our desires, has ever replied by special manifestations of
devotion; and now is making ready to pay to Mary, during a whole
month, a daily tribute of the devotion so dear to it. In such
pious rivalry Italy has not been behindhand, for devotion to Our
Lady is deeply and widely rooted in this land; and We doubt not
that this year too, Italy will set a glorious example of love for
the august Mother of God, and will give Us fresh reasons for
consolation and hope. Nevertheless We cannot do less than address
to you, Venerable Brethren, a few words of exhortation, so that
with particular and renewed zeal the month dedicated to the Most
Holy Virgin of the Rosary may be sanctified in every diocese of
Italy.

2.
It is easy to imagine what reasons We have for doing this. Since
God called Us to govern His Church on earth, We have sought to use
every possible means that We deemed suitable, for the
sanctification of souls and the extension of the reign of Jesus
Christ. We have excepted from Our daily solicitude no nation and
no people, mindful that Our Redeemer shed His precious blood on
the Cross and opened the reign of grace and of glory for all.
None, however, can be surprised that We showed special care for
the Italian people, for Our Divine Master Jesus Christ chose, from
out all the world, Italy to be the seat of His Vicar on earth, and
in His providential designs appointed Rome to be the capital of
the Catholic world. On this account the Italian people are called
upon to live close to the Father of the whole Christian family,
and to share in a special way in his sorrows and his glory.
Unfortunately We find in Italy much to sadden Our souls. Faith and
Christian morals, the precious inheritance bequeathed by Our
ancestors, and in all past times the glory of Our country and of
Italy's great ones, are being attacked artfully and in covert
ways, or even openly, with cynicism that is revolting, by a
handful of men who seek to rob others of that faith and morality
they have themselves lost. In this more especially is seen the
work of the sects, and of those who are more or less their willing
tools. Above all, in this city of Rome, where Christ's Vicar has
his See are their efforts concentrated and their diabolical
designs displayed with ferocious obstinacy.

3.
We need not tell you, Venerable Brethren, with what bitterness Our
soul is filled at seeing the danger there is for the salvation of
so many of Our beloved children. And Our sorrow is greater because
We find it impossible to oppose such great evil with that salutary
efficacy We would desire and that We have the right to use, for
you know, Venerable Brethren, and all the world knows, the state
to which we are reduced. On this account We feel a still greater
desire to call upon the Mother of God and to ask her help. Let all
good Italians pray for their misguided brethren, for their common
Father the Roman Pontiff, that God, in His infinite mercy, may
hear and answer the prayers of a father and his sons. And Our most
lively and sure hope is placed in the Queen of the Rosary, who has
shown herself, since she has been invoked by that title, so ready
to help the Church and Christian peoples in their necessities.
Already have We recorded these glories and the great triumphs won
over the Albigenses and other powerful enemies, glories and
triumphs which have not only profited the Church, afflicted and
persecuted, but also the temporal welfare of peoples and nations.
Why in this hour of need should We not behold again such marvels
of the power and goodness of the august Virgin, for the good of
the Church and its Head, and of the whole Christian world, if the
faithful only revive, on their part, the magnificent examples of
piety given by their forefathers, under similar circumstances? And
to make this most powerful Queen more and more propitious, We
would honor her more and more in the invocation of the Rosary, and
increase this devotion. And to this end We have made a double of
the second class for all the Church of the Feast of the Rosary.
And for the same purpose We ardently desire the Catholics of
Italy, with lively faith, especially during this month of October,
to invoke this august Virgin and to do loving violence to her
mother's heart, and to pray to her for the triumph of the Church
and the Apostolic See, for the liberty of the Vicar of Jesus
Christ on earth, and for peace and public prosperity. And since
the effects of such prayers will be proportionate to the
dispositions of those offering them, We ardently exhort you,
venerable brethren, to devote all your care and zeal to kindle
among those committed to your charge a strong, living, and active
faith, and to call on all to return by penance to grace and to the
faithful fulfillment of all their duties. Among such duties,
considering the state of the times, must be reckoned as paramount
an open and sincere profession of the faith and teaching of Jesus
Christ, casting aside all human respect, and considering before
all things the interest of religion and the salvation of souls. It
cannot be concealed that, although thanks to the mercy of God
religious feeling is strong and widely spread among Italians,
nevertheless by the evil influence of men and the times, religious
indifference is on the increase, and hence there is a lessening of
that respect and filial love for the Church which was the glory of
our ancestors and in which they placed their highest ambition. Let
it be your work, venerable brethren, to revive this Christian
feeling among your people, an interest in the Catholic cause, a
confidence in Our Lady's help, and a spirit of prayer. It is
certain that the august Queen, invoked thus well by her many sons,
would deign to hear their prayer, console Us in Our sorrow, and
crown Our efforts for the Church and for Italy, by granting better
times to both. With these desires, We bestow on you, venerable
brethren, and the clergy and people committed to your care, the
Apostolic Benediction as a promise of graces and favors of the
highest kind from heaven.

Given
at the Vatican this 20th day of September 1887.

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